National offer conditional support for DHB appointment

National is offering cautious support for the Government’s
intention to replace the Waikato District Health Board (DHB)
with a commissioner, but on the condition David Clark
commits to returning the board to the normal democratic
process as soon as possible, National’s Health
Spokesperson Michael Woodhouse says.

“The Waikato
DHB has had serious issues in recent times such as
unjustified spending from its previous Chief Executive,
struggles to find a replacement, and a forecast deficit of
$56m.

“Against that backdrop the clinical staff
and outgoing acting CEO Derek Wright have worked extremely
hard to maintain clinical and financial viability, and blame
should not be levelled at those hard-working staff.

“While these issues are behind the Government’s
decision, Dr Clark has had ample time to address issues and
deliver on his pledge to rein in the deficits of our DHBs,
but instead we’ve seen them sink further into a sea of red
ink.

“With combined debt likely to reach $500
million by year’s end, it’s clear that DHBs are poorly
served by a Minister and Government that promised much and
delivered little and we are starting to see the effect this
is having.

“The board members of many other DHBs
where the books have become worse off over the past 18
months will be looking over their shoulders to ensure
they’re not next on the scrap heap to be replaced by a
commissioner.

“The Minister’s priority now needs
to be working hard to ensure the Waikato DHB’s status can
be returned as soon as possible.”

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